The football purists have tried to burst the Southampton striker's bubble ever since his first surprise selection in August.

After goals in wins over Scotland and then Moldova , it was claimed the step up in class against Ukraine last month would see Lambert struggle.

But the 31-year-old Scouser, who spent most of his career playing in the lower leagues for the likes of Macclesfield, Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers, smiled: “I couldn’t pay someone to give me motivation like that.

“I think I’ve realised lately that, over the years, I have been driven on by remarks like that. To be honest, that’s the sort of thing that drives me on - to try and prove these people wrong.

“Obviously I’m driven inside anyway, I want to do well. So it doesn’t actually bother me what people say.

“I focus on myself and as long as my team, my manager and the fans are happy with me, that’s all I am bothered about.

“I have always had negative comments like that and I always will. I will just have to try and prove them wrong again.”

He added: “I’m hoping to inspire other people to not give up because if you are good enough you will get to where you want to go.

“You never know what could happen in a year, two years. It can change. It's hard at the moment because the Premier League is not investing a lot in the lower leagues.

“Clubs would rather bring in a foreign player than go lower, so it's not easy. But it's not impossible, and so you can’t give up.

“Personally, I feel I can improve even further.

“Being around the England set-up will bring more out of me. I might be 31 but there is so much still for me to learn from the manager and the players.

“To go to Ukraine as we did, in that atmosphere, and get a point against the players they’ve got, was a great achievement.

“We were desperate to get into a position where we were top, and now it is in our hands.”

Lambert was speaking in Portsmouth as he helped promote the partnership between the England Footballers' Foundation and The British Forces Foundation.

He explained: “We want to help the forces and I was more than happy to come along to show the players’ support. We are behind these guys.”

After presenting the trophy to the Royal Marines - 3-2 winners of the Regional Naval Football Tournament final over Scotland Command - Lambert focused on his own service for Queen and country.

His call-up last Thursday came less than a week after he celebrated the 200th goal of his career, against Crystal Palace.

(Photo: Michael Regan)

Saints’ rise up the table saw them go into the international break fourth in the Premier League, just two points behind leaders Arsenal.

In fact, the landmarks have come with a rush since his very first England call-up on August 8 - the same day that his daughter Bella was born.

He went on: “If I don’t get the chance to play for England again, I’ll still be happy with what I have achieved so far. This is already the best season of my career.

“Obviously, I don’t need to tell you how determined I am not to let it end now. But if it did then I am more than happy with the way it has gone.”

Does that mean next summer’s World Cup - should England qualify - is not a realistic target?

“A lot of things that have got to happen between now and then," he said. "I’ll just keep working hard. I’ve never taken anything for granted. And if that chance does come then, yes, I will take it.”

Rickie Lambert was giving his Extra Time For England on behalf of the England Footballers' Foundation. To find out more about the work of the foundation and their chosen charity partners, including the British Forces Foundation, go to www.englandfootballersfoundation.com